Clever Twist
I've read a lot of books by Gillian McAllister, and I really love the fact that she still manages to surprise and shock with twists and new takes on crime thrillers that really make a refreshing change to the genre. Wrong Place, Wrong Time was one of my Kindig Gems of the Year for 2022 so I was excited to read her next book.
Just Another Missing Person is a great standalone thriller featuring a new Detective; Julia. Julia feels well rounded and interesting - she loves her job, sometimes at the detriment to her family life, she has a daughter she loves and a past secret which she will do anything to ensure does not come out. She feels realistic and gritty without becoming too much of a stereotype. There are quite a few other characters throughout the case - friends and family of the victim, police offices and experts but it is easy to keep track of them throughout. The book also jumps perspective between 3 main characters, who all have their distinctive voice. Although they all feel like 3 different plots at the beginning, they become interwoven with each other quickly. One of these perspectives is also in the second person, which keeps it separate from the others.
I don't want to delve too much into the twist as I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it's such a clever idea and really well done. The cards are also shown at around 65% which leaves plenty of time to continue the story without making the twist the main focus.
Just Another Missing Person is a great twist which stands out in a saturated genre - another fantastic addition to Gillian McAllister's repertoire which really makes her a must-read author in my eyes. Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House - Michael Joseph for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
